WATCH ABOVE: An electrical problem created huge headaches for people using city transit Thursday morning. CTrain service was shut down right across the downtown core leaving travelers stranded. Global’s David Boushy reports.
CALGARY – CTrain service in the downtown core came to a halt on Thursday due to a power outage.
Enmax says the electrical issue, which began around 6:30 a.m., was caused by damage to overhead power lines at City Hall.
A pantograph, he explained is the equipment on the top of the train that transfers power from overhead power lines to the vehicle.
“The pantograph hit something. We don’t know the exact route cause.”
“The initial impact happened probably around the Bridgeland area,” added Davies. “There’s a certain amount of travel the vehicle had until it hit the +15 area just outside City Hall. That’s when everything really ground to a halt.”
Trains on both lines were stopping at the Sunnyside, Chinook, Bridgeland and Sunalta stations, at which point passengers had to switch to shuttle buses to get to their final destination.
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The issue caused long lineups for commuters who waited in the rain to board over 20 shuttle buses that were sent out. Officials said each train carries about 600 passengers, while an articulated bus can carry roughly 90.
Services were back up and running by 9 a.m. with only minor delays.
By 11:30 a.m., Enmax confirmed the electrical issues had been resolved.
– With files from The Canadian Press
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